Cable gathering device (wire stacker)

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cable gathering device (wire stacker) ( 12 ) for processing electrical or optical lines ( 8 ), such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibres etc. comprising a platform ( 2 ) which can be tilted downwards which has an accommodating region ( 2   a ) for accommodating one or more lines ( 8 ) after a processing step, characterised in that the platform ( 2 ) has a removal region ( 2   b ) adjoining the accommodating region ( 2   a ), wherein lines ( 8 ) located in the accommodating region ( 2   a ) can be brought into the removal region ( 2   b ) by tilting the platform ( 2 ) downwards, from which the lines ( 8 ) can be removed and wherein the lines ( 8 ) are retained in the removal region ( 2   b ) by retaining means ( 2   d ) in the tilted position of the platform ( 2 ).

This application is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national-phase entry of PCTInternational application no. PCT/IB2012/056305 filed on Nov. 9, 2012and also claims benefit of priority to prior Swiss national applicationno. CH-01810/11 filed on Nov. 11, 2011, and parent PCT Internationalapplication no. PCT/IB2012/056305 is expressly incorporated herein byreference, in its entirety, for all intents and purposes, as ifidentically set forth in full herein.

The invention relates to a cable gathering device for processingelectrical or optical lines, such as wires, cables, line bundles,optical fibres etc. comprising a platform which can be tilted downwardswhich has an accommodating region for accommodating one or more linesafter a processing step.

Cable processing devices are known in the prior art in which readyassembled cables are placed on a temporary tray of a cable gatheringdevice (wire stacker) or discharged thereon and gathered there. When acertain number of cables are gathered on the temporary receptacle, thetray is tilted downwards so that the cables slip downwards from the trayin order to land in a container provided specifically for this purpose(removal trough) where they are accessible from outside the cableprocessing device.

The disadvantage of such a construction is that as a result of the cabledropping downwards from the temporary tray into a separate removaltrough, the cable enters into a region which can ergonomically only bereached for an operator with some effort and continuously stooping, i.e.in the region close to the floor. However, a corresponding heightstacking of the tilting tray and the removal trough disposed thereunderrequires construction expenditure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,777A discloses such an apparatus. A wire guideassembly comprises a pivotable trough-like receptacle for wire bundleswhere the wire bundles can be released by tilting the receptacledownwards. The centre of gravity of the receptacle is in this caseshifted outwards in such a manner that the receptacle can already tiltdownwards merely due to the action of gravity.

It is the object of the invention to provide a cable gathering device(wire stacker) which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages andenables an ergonomically matched removal of the lines which at the sametime has a space-saving and user-friendly design and which manages withsimple process steps. At the same time, a high degree of safety shouldbe ensured for the operator who removes the cable.

The invention solves this object with a cable gathering device (wirestacker) of the type mentioned initially, whereby the platform has aremoval region adjoining the accommodating region, wherein lines locatedin the accommodating region can be brought into the removal region bytilting the platform downwards, from which the lines can be removed andwherein the lines are retained in the removal region by retaining meansin the tilted position of the platform.

As a result of the fact that the tiltable platform has its ownaccommodating region and its own removal region, the process region ofthe cable gathering device (wire stacker) can be spatially separatedfrom the removal region whereby a high safety standard is provided. Theadditional retaining means in the removal region prevents the lines fromfalling down from the platform during tilting of the platform. The linesare therefore held reliably in the removal region. A subsequent upwardspivoting of the platform then has the effect that the lines retained inthe removal region return to a height at which the lines are optimallyaccessible from the ergonomic aspect from outside the cable gatheringdevice (wire stacker). A further advantage of the invention consists inthat the processing process need not be stopped during removal of thelines from the removal region. This is ensured by the separateaccommodating and removal regions.

The invention is characterised by a low expenditure on apparatus. Aseparate removal trough as in the prior art is not necessary with theresult that the number of parts and the costs are reduced. The areas ofapplication of the invention are numerous. The platform can thus serveas a tray for line twisters after the twisting process but can also beused in connection with a conveyor belt. The platform according to theinvention can be used in insulating machines, crimping devices, twistingdevices etc.

The invention allows a removal of finished lines from a cable processingmachine at ergonomic height. At the same time, production can still takeplace automatically behind a protective hood and the finished productdischarged onto the same platform in the accommodating region. Anyendangerment of the operator by the processing process can beefficiently prevented by the formation of a protective hood and theplatform (separate accommodating region).

In one embodiment the retaining means is fastened to the platform, whichgives a particularly compact and simple design.

In one embodiment the platform forms the base of a tray. In the tray thelines are protected from undesired falling down by side walls.

In one embodiment the retaining means is formed by a side wall of thetray. The side wall of the tray therefore serves at the same time tolimit the downward sliding of the lines in the tilted state of theplatform and retain the lines in the removal region.

In one embodiment the platform is pivotable about a substantiallyhorizontal axis of rotation. A particularly simple realisation of thetilting movement can thus be achieved. The axis of rotation issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the platforminto which the lines enter according to their length.

In one embodiment the axis of rotation is provided in the region of theunderside of the accommodating region. As a result no parts of theplatform or tray enter into the process region of the cable gatheringdevice (wire stacker) during the tilting process.

In one embodiment an actuator is provided for tilting the platform,which acts in the region of the underside of the removal region, whereinpreferably the actuator is a pneumatic actuator. This measure ispreferably a space-saving design.

In one embodiment the cable gathering device (wire stacker) has apreferably transparent partition wall which separates a process regionfrom an operating region and projects from above in the direction of theplatform, whereby the safety of an operator is reliably and permanentlyensured.

In one embodiment the partition wall extends at least partially into thetray between accommodating region and receiving region, whereby thesafety is further increased.

In one embodiment, in the removal region the base of the platform has arecess in order to retain the lines better in position there. During theupwards pivoting of the platform with the lines located in the removalregion, the recess prevents the outermost lines of the line bundle fromrolling back into the adjoining receiving region.

In one embodiment the platform is substantially flat in theaccommodating region, with the result that the sliding of the lines intothe removal region is made easier.

In one embodiment the cable gathering device (wire stacker) is a cabletwisting apparatus and the platform is provided to accommodate thetwisted cable.

The invention also relates to a method for removal of electrical oroptical lines (8), such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibresetc. from a cable gathering device (wire stacker) comprising a platformwhich can be tilted downwards which has an accommodating region foraccommodating one or more lines after a processing step, wherein theplatform has a removal region adjoining the accommodating region,wherein lines located in the accommodating region can be brought intothe removal region by tilting the tray downwards and are retained in theremoval region by retaining means in the tilted position of the platformand that the lines are removed from the removal region.

In one embodiment before removal of the lines from the removal regionthe platform is tilted upwards again. As a result the lines are raisedto an ergonomically optimal height for removal whilst at the same timelines can be fabricated and discharged in the process region and in theaccommodating region.

Further embodiments of the invention are given in the figures and in thedependent patent claims. The reference list is part of the disclosure.

The invention is explained in detail symbolically and as examples byreference to figures. In the figures

FIG. 1 shows a cable gathering device (wire stacker) according to theinvention with a tiltable platform disposed below the processing region,

FIG. 2 shows a device according to FIG. 1 with the platform in thetilted state,

FIG. 3 shows a device according to FIG. 1 with the platform pivotedupwards again for removal of lines from the removal region.

FIG. 1 shows a cable gathering device (wire stacker) 12 for processingelectrical or optical lines 8. The processing or process region 1 inwhich the lines 8 are processed, e.g. insulated, crimped, twisted,bundled etc. is only shown schematically by a circle. If the lines 8 areready configured after a processing step, they arrive at theaccommodating region 2 a of a platform 2 (e.g. are discharged ontothis). The direction of drop 7 from the process region 1 onto theaccommodating region 2 a of the platform 2 is depicted by means of anarrow. The lines 8 are thereby received by the platform 2 according totheir length. The lines 8 in this case come to lie substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal extension of the platform 2. In the figuresshown, the lines 8 accordingly extend substantially perpendicular to theplane of the sheet.

The platform 2 is mounted on a machine frame 5 and can be tilteddownwards. To this end it is pivotable about a substantially horizontalaxis of rotation 3. The actuation of an actuator 11 cooperating with theplatform 2 enables the tilting process downwards and the pivoting backagain upwards. In the embodiment shown the actuator 11 is apneumatically actuatable piston-cylinder unit which is disposed belowthe platform 2. The extension of the piston rod thereby acts in theregion of the underside of the removal region 2 b via a substantiallyhorizontal axis of rotation.

The platform 2, which in the exemplary embodiment shown, forms the baseof a tray, has a removal region 2 b in addition to the accommodatingregion 2 a. During tilting of the platform 2 downwards, the lines 8placed in the accommodating region 2 a slide towards the removal region2 b.

FIG. 2 b shows the platform 2 in the tilted state. The lines 8 havealready slipped into the removal region 2 b. The sliding direction 9here indicates the direction of movement of the lines 8.

In the embodiment shown the platform 2 forms the base of a tray. Theleft-hand side wall 2 b of the tray delimits the movement of the lines 8during the tilting of the platform 2 and retains the lines 8 in theremoval region 2 b as retaining means 2 d. In principle (alternativelyto a side wall), other retaining means are also feasible which retainthe lines 8, in particular in the tilted state of the platform 2. A gridor upwardly projecting rods, for example, would also be possible asretaining means, which are disposed at certain distances on the platform2. In one variant the retaining means comprise a stationary retainingmeans which is not fastened to the platform 2, e.g. a retaining meanswhich has a curved contour which defines the outermost edge of theremoval region during tilting.

FIG. 3 again shows the platform in the upwardly pivoted state where thelines 8 which had previously slipped into the removal region 2 b remainin the removal region 2 b. This is preferably promoted by a recess inthe platform 2 in the removal region 2 b. Whilst the lines 8 can now beremoved from the removal region 2 b, as indicated schematically by theremoval direction 10, newly processed lines 8 are already arriving fromthe process region 1 onto the accommodating region 2 a.

Preferably a partition wall 4 which simultaneously delimits theaccommodating region 2 a from the removal region 2 b is located betweenthe process region 1 and the operating region 6 from which the lines 8can be removed, e.g. by an operator. In order that the operator canmonitor the process region 1, the partition wall is preferablytransparent, e.g. made of Plexiglas. The partition wall 4 can, forexample, be a part of a protective hood which is pivotable as a whole inorder to make the process region 1 accessible from outside duringcleaning, repair and/or maintenance work.

The platform 2 is preferably fabricated over its entire surface, e.g. ofsheet metal. However the platform could also be formed as a grid or fromindividual interconnected struts. It must merely be able to accommodatethe lines 8. In principle the platform 2 can have any shape. In thepreferred embodiment it forms the base of a tray. The side walls 2 c, 2d of the tray reliably prevent the lines from 8 from undesirably fallingfrom the platform 2.

The actuator 11 which accomplishes the tilting of the platform 2 couldnaturally also be a motor or another drive. The actuator 11 can also actdirectly or indirectly on the platform at a different position from thatshown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The method according to the invention is explained in detail hereinafterwith reference to the individual figures:

FIG. 1: below the process region 1 the tilting tray 2 is connected tothe machine frame 5 via the axis of rotation 3. The tilting tray can befolded downwards (preferably by about 45°) starting from the horizontalby means of a pneumatic drive 11. Line products are formed in theprocess region 1 which drop down after completion or after a processstep (discharge direction 7) and form the line bundle 8.

FIG. 2: when the batch is processed, the platform 2 pivots downwards (inthe preferred exemplary embodiment by about 45°). The line bundle 8thereby slips due to gravity into the removal region 2 b which ispreferably characterised by a recess or depression.

After a brief moment the platform 2 pivots back into the (substantiallyhorizontal) initial position where the lines 8 are again raised butremain in the removal region 2 b.

FIG. 3: the line bundle 8 can then be simply removed from the operatingregion 6. The cable gathering device (wire stacker) 12 can continueduring this to discharge lines 8 from the process region 1 onto thetiltable platform 2. It is not necessary to interrupt the processingprocess during the removal of the lines from the removal region 2 b.

The disclosure of the following commonly owned applications: S124PWO,S125PWO, S127PWO, S141PWO (Internal file reference of the applicant),which were all deposited at the International Bureau (IB) on Nov. 9,2012, form an integral component of the present application and shouldbe seen in combination with the same since these separate applicationseach relate to different aspects of the same machine. Furthersynergistic effects result from this.

LIST OF REFERENCE LABELS

-   1—Process region-   2—Platform-   2 a—Accommodating region-   2 b—Removal region-   2 c—Side wall-   2 d—Side wall-   3—Axis of rotation-   4—Partition wall-   5—Machine frame-   6—Operating region-   7—Discharge direction-   8—Line-   9—Sliding direction-   10—Removal-   11—Actuator-   12—Cable gathering (wire stacker)

What is claimed is: 1-15. (canceled)
 16. Cable gathering device (wirestacker) for processing electrical or optical lines, such as wires,cables, line bundles, optical fibres etc. comprising a platform whichcan be tilted downwards which has an accommodating region foraccommodating one or more lines after a processing step, characterisedin that in addition to the accommodating region, the platform furtherhas an adjoining but spatially separated removal region, wherein lineslocated in the accommodating region can be brought into the removalregion by tilting the platform downwards, from which the lines can beremoved and wherein the lines are retained in the removal region byretaining means in the tilted position of the platform.
 17. The cablegathering device (wire stacker) according to claim 16, characterised inthat the accommodating region and the removal region lie substantiallyat the same height during the processing of the lines in an upwardlypivoted position.
 18. The cable gathering device (wire stacker)according to claim 16, characterised in that the retaining means isfastened to the platform.
 19. The cable gathering device (wire stacker)according to claim 16, characterised in that the platform forms the baseof a tray.
 20. The cable gathering device (wire stacker) according toclaim 19, characterised in that the retaining means is formed by a sidewall of the tray.
 21. The cable gathering device (wire stacker)according to claim 16, characterised in that the platform is pivotableabout a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, wherein preferablythe axis of rotation is provided in the region of the underside of theaccommodating region.
 22. The cable gathering device (wire stacker)according to claim 16, characterised in that for tilting the platform anactuator is provided, which acts in the region of the underside of theremoval region, wherein preferably the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.23. The cable gathering device (wire stacker) according to claim 16,characterised in that the cable gathering device (wire stacker) has apreferably transparent partition wall which separates a process regionfrom an operating region and projects from above in the direction of theplatform.
 24. The cable gathering device (wire stacker) according toclaim 23, characterised in that the partition wall extends at leastpartially into the tray between accommodating region and receivingregion.
 25. The cable gathering device (wire stacker) according to claim16, characterised in that in the removal region the base of the platformhas a recess in order to retain the lines better in position there. 26.The cable gathering device (wire stacker) according to claim 16,characterised in that the platform is substantially flat in theaccommodating region.
 27. The cable gathering device (wire stacker)according to claim 16, characterised in that the cable gathering device(wire stacker) is a cable twisting apparatus and the platform isprovided to accommodate the twisted cable.
 28. Method for removing ofelectrical or optical lines, such as wires, cables, line bundles,optical fibres etc. from a cable gathering device (wire stacker)comprising a platform which can be tilted downwards which has anaccommodating region for accommodating one or more lines after aprocessing step, characterised in that the platform has a removal regionadjoining the accommodating region, wherein lines located in theaccommodating region can be brought into the removal region by tiltingthe tray downwards and are retained in the removal region by retainingmeans in the tilted position of the platform and that the lines areremoved from the removal region.
 29. The method according to claim 28,characterised in that before removal of the lines from the removalregion the platform is tilted upwards again.
 30. The method according toclaim 28, characterised in that the cable gathering device (wirestacker) is configured according to claim 16.